Ruthella Ann English, age 89, of Washington, Iowa, died Wednesday, April 29, 2015, at the Halcyon House in Washington, Iowa.

Celebration of life services will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday, May 4, 2015, at the United Methodist Church in Washington with Pastor Jim Stiles officiating. Calling hours will begin 9:00 a.m. Monday at the United Methodist Church where the family will receive friends from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m. Interment will take place at the Elm Grove Cemetery in Washington. Memorials have been established for the United Methodist Church of Washington. Online condolences may be sent for Ruthella's family through the web at www.jonesfh.com .

Ruthella was born July 30, 1925, in Villisca, Iowa, the daughter of Hulen and Anna (Sander) Freeman. She attended school in Villisca and graduated from Villisca High School in 1943. Ruthella was united in marriage to Thomas E. English on November 10, 1943, in Villisca, Iowa.

Ruthella worked as a Dictaphone Operator for Banker's Life Insurance Company in Des Moines from 1943 until 1944. She was later Secretary for the Superintendent of the Villisca School District from 1944 until 1946. From 1946 until 1948 she worked as Secretary to the Registrar at Simpson College. After moving to Washington, Ruthella worked as Secretary for Washington Camp Fire Girls for 17 years and was Secretary for the Washington Community School Hot Lunch and Activities program from 1969 until 1984.

Ruthella was a member of the United Methodist Church in Washington. She was a member of Chapter J., P.E.O. where she served as President, Treasurer and was the Scholar Awards Chairperson. She was on the Halcyon House Care Review Committee from 1990 until 1998 and the Washington Concert Association Board of Directors from 1992 until 1995. Ruthella was a former member of Fortnightly.

She is survived by daughter-in-law, Susan English of Washington, Iowa; daughter-in-law, Barbara English of Harlan, Iowa; four grandchildren, Mark English and wife Sara of Washington, Iowa; Amy Marsh and husband Tyler of Elkhorn, Nebraska; Matt English and wife Sara of Omaha, Nebraska; Andy English and wife Erin of Carlisle, Iowa; great grandchildren, Addison and Parker English of Washington, Iowa; Brynn and Aubrey Marsh of Elkhorn, Nebraska; Rob English of Omaha, Nebraska; and Hudson English of Carlisle, Iowa.

Ruthella was preceded in death by her parents, her husband in 2013, son Douglas in 2002 and son Robert in 2011.